Maresca reiterates lack of belief in Chelsea title hopes

Enzo Maresca has reiterated his belief that Chelsea are not in the running to be crowned Premier League champions, ahead of their Boxing Day clash with Fulham.

Chelsea were held to a goalless draw at Everton on Sunday, slipping four points below leaders Liverpool having played an additional game.

The Blues are, however, unbeaten in their last nine league matches and are above Arsenal and Manchester City – who finished well clear of the chasing pack in each of the last two seasons.

Maresca, though, does not see his team as genuine title contenders, saying: “It’s the reality for me, not about the pressure. I would like that kind of pressure.

“I say we are not there because that is the reality for me. The main point is to continue to improve and to win games.

“We are ahead of our expectations in terms of the way we are playing and points. For us, the main focus is to see how we can improve the players and how we can improve the team.

“It’s almost halfway so the table reflects the teams and where they are. Liverpool are doing fantastic since the first day. The squad already live that kind of moment, it’s important. We are happy to be where we are in this moment.

“I think Manchester City in the end will be there. They are living something that probably never happened before. They have a new injury at the end of every game. It is a very bad situation.”

Fulham (H) pic.twitter.com/EHTcF1GRwr

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) December 24, 2024

Like their West London rivals, Fulham were held to a goalless draw last time out, failing to find a way past Southampton at Craven Cottage.

They are unbeaten in five games but have drawn four of those, and boss Marco Silva expects another tough assignment at Stamford Bridge.

“They are very, very good. It is quite clear there. A football club that has spent money in such a short period of time, the quality was there,” Silva said of Chelsea.

“For young players, it’s not easy to find a club with so many young players performing. They are very good and very confident to play in that system.

“They have been dominant in most of their games. It’s another big challenge for us.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea – Nicolas Jackson

Jackson has a combined 15 goals (11) and assists (four) in his last 19 Premier League starts at Stamford Bridge.

The forward also has 13 goal involvements in his last 12 London derby appearances in the league (11 goals, two assists).

Fulham – Emile Smith Rowe

Smith Rowe has either scored (two goals) or assisted (one) in three of his four Premier League starts against Chelsea (all for Arsenal), with both goals against the Blues coming at Stamford Bridge.

MATCH PREDICTION – CHELSEA WIN

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 19 home league games against Fulham (W12 D7) since a 2-0 loss in the second tier in October 1979.

Fulham, meanwhile, have won just two of their 34 Premier League games against Chelsea (D11 L21), with their 6% win rate against the Blues the lowest any side has another in the competition’s history (minimum 20 meetings).

Fulham are, however, unbeaten in each of their last nine Premier League London derby matches (W4 D5), since a 1-0 loss at Chelsea in January this year.

Backed by a sold out away end.

Marco previews #CHEFUL.

— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) December 24, 2024

The Cottagers last had a longer run without a league defeat against fellow London sides between February 1936 and October 1938 (12 games, all in the second tier).

Chelsea’s fine recent form makes them clear favourites, though. The Blues are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League games (W6 D3), last having a longer run without defeat in Thomas Tuchel’s first 10 in charge of the club between January and March 2021.

The Blues’ only two defeats this season have come against reigning champions Manchester City and current league leaders Liverpool.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Chelsea – 61.1%

Fulham – 19.2%

Draw – 19.6%